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Tag: Singapore

  • Premier Taxi Uncle Picks Up Muslim Passenger Twice In Succession, Later Treats Him To A Drink

    Premier Taxi Uncle Picks Up Muslim Passenger Twice In Succession, Later Treats Him To A Drink

    Strangers’ Lunch – Taxi Uncle & Me

    A Story of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Gratitude, Diversity & Inclusivity
    [Disclaimer: Pardon my unpolished sentences]

    Uncle: Hi good afternoon Sir. Where to Sir?

    It was noon & with mooncake boxes on hand, I boarded the taxi, ready to gift mooncakes to our clients. This is a tradition of our organization & makes part of a relationship building process – in celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

    Uncle: You also like to eat Mooncakes?

    Me: Oh thanks for asking Uncle. These mooncakes are not for me, Uncle. They are for my customers.

    The taxi ride to the customer’s place was filled with rich conversation. Taxi uncle in his 60s sharing with me powerful (and sure-fire) tips on staying healthy.

    Me: Uncle, you are in your 60s but look like you’re in your 40s…

    Uncle: I have a secret to share. You must always think positive and keep yourself happy. And for me, I do breathing exercise twice a day. Do at least 10-minutes of slow and full breathing twice a day. That helps me keep fit. Take care of yourself. You are still young

    Upon reaching the customer’s site, I settled with the taxi uncle & thanked him for the pleasant ride.

    Passed on the mooncakes to the customer and had to get to my next destination for lunch. No nearby bus stops so I decided I had to take a taxi.

    Guess what? Same taxi uncle was there hoping to find a passenger. Again, I boarded his taxi.

    Uncle: Wow, today lucky day for me. Don’t have to wait too long and I get the same passenger!

    Me: Uncle, no It’s my lucky day. If not for you I have to wait long time for taxi here.

    Me: Uncle, you may stop me at any nearby coffeeshop. I would like to have lunch.

    Uncle: Sure. Hey, don’t mind me asking. Are you Muslim? I will bring you to the coffeeshop with more food for you. Better for you.

    Me: Yes uncle. Please do. Hope there is one near here.

    Uncle: Have, quite near. Can I have lunch with you too? I’m getting hungry as well.

    Me: Yes, why not Uncle.

    We reached the lunch place. It was awkward as there was no business/friendship/family relationship between Uncle and me after that taxi ride. There wasn’t anything in it for us to be having lunch together (not family, not friends yet, not colleagues). But there we were, having lunch at the same table. We had a good chat about life and filial piety in the short lunch time.

    Uncle: What drink you want?

    After countless attempts of profusely refusing Uncle’s unsolicited generosity, I gave up & allowed a display of unsolicited generosity by Uncle.

    This simple journey led to me going into a mode of self-realisation. I have penned down here some lessons learned with most of it being a reminder to me & possibly to all reading this.

    Lessons Learned:
    1. There should be no hierarchy in life.
    2. Obstacles to mutual respect are unnatural & can be easily overcome.
    3. Respect one and all.
    4. Celebrate diversity & inclusivity
    5. Give thanks.

    *Premier Taxi Uncle. Unfortunately I did not take down your name/mobile number but here’s thanks to you & wish you all the best !

    [This post has been forwarded to Premier Taxis as a compliment to Uncle]

     

    Source: Irfan Mustapha

  • EP Voting Process ‘Must Not Be Turned Into A Farce’

    EP Voting Process ‘Must Not Be Turned Into A Farce’

    Should an election still be held for an unopposed presidential candidate? Would some Singaporeans view the proposed changes to the Elected Presidency (EP) as the Government facilitating a preferred candidate next year?

    These were among the questions raised on Sunday (Sept 18) in the latest of a series of dialogues on the EP scheme and the Government’s White Paper released on Thursday.

    Responding to the question on whether an unopposed candidate should still secure a majority vote to become the President, Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said Singapore must ensure the voting process is not opened up to criticism and ridicule.

    The scenario of an individual who steps forward to run for the position but does not get a majority vote could make Singapore a “laughing stock”, he said, as the country would not have a President and would have to call another election.

    “We must balance between the ability to represent and also make the process something that doesn’t turn into a farce,” Mr Shanmugam said to the 1,300 residents and grassroots leaders from Central Singapore District who attended the dialogue.

    He referred to how founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew had won elections unopposed, with no question whether Mr Lee lacked the moral authority, given that he had presented himself for elections but no one wanted to contest against him.

    “We have the rules — people can take part. If they don’t take part, then whoever takes part becomes the President. I think it’s a neater process,” he said.

    Mr Shanmugam had spent about 40 minutes of the two-hour session at the Institute of Technical Education College Central explaining the Government’s response to the Constitutional Commission’s recommendations.

    In response to a participant who doubted Singaporeans would vote for a minority candidate, Mr Shanmugam said that while the majority of Singaporeans are capable of voting for a minority President, race remains a factor within a segment of the population.

    Referring to the Group Representation Constituency system, which guarantees minority representation in Parliament, he noted how it prevented people from discussing race during elections.

    Another question asked was whether five terms, or 30 years, is too long before a reserved election is called for a particular race that has not had an Elected President.

    To this, Mr Shanmugam said: “Many people would say we don’t need (a reserved election), many people will say we need it, and it cannot be 30 years (or) five terms — it should be shorter. The Government is trying to do what is right here.”

    And on whether the Elected President from a reserved election would have the moral authority to disagree with the Government, he noted that regardless of race, the President has to meet the same qualifying criteria.

    These candidates would also have to prove themselves and win the most number of votes if there is a contest. “I think such a person will have the credibility and competence to say no to the Government when necessary,” he added.

    While there are potential minority candidates from the private sector, Mr Shanmugam declined to name any when asked if he could identify some potential Malay candidates under the higher qualifying threshold, given that it has been a while since Singapore had a Malay president.

    To another question, he said the Council of Presidential Advisers should not be elected to avoid politicising their roles.

    And on the suggestion that the qualifying criteria be pegged to a percentage of the country’s Gross Domestic Product, Mr Shanmugam said there could be other qualifying criteria to consider in future.

    Speaking to TODAY, Bizlink senior trainer Zainbu Mohamed Ghouse, 57, felt that the session seemed to centre on the Government’s plans for the EP rather than on reaching out to the ground.

    “We feel that the purpose of having this session was just for formality, just to let you know that you’re being heard, but it may not be the situation,” said Ms Zainbu, who is also a grassroots member with Jalan Besar Bendemeer Residents’ Committee.

    But businessman Terry Lee, 47, who is a grassroots leader with Potong Pasir Neighbourhood Committee, said the session was useful to him, as he will be able to verbalise some of the issues raised to other residents.

     

    Source: TODAY Online

  • Singaporeans Have To Save 9 Years Longer For Retirement Than Previous Generations: HSBC Survey

    Singaporeans Have To Save 9 Years Longer For Retirement Than Previous Generations: HSBC Survey

    Hit by the rising cost of living, workers in Singapore have to save nine years longer for an adequate retirement compared to previous generations, according to an HSBC report released on Wednesday (July 13).

    According to the report, the average Singaporean starts saving for retirement at 32 and continues for another 29 years. This is nine years more than their predecessors, who saved an average of 20 years, starting later at age 39.

    Despite the longer and earlier period of saving, 41 per cent of current working age Singaporeans wish they had started to save earlier – and more than one-third or 38 per cent have stopped saving altogether due to various difficulties.

    Said Mr Matthew Colebrook, head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management, HSBC Bank (Singapore), said: “The unfortunate causality of a rising cost of living is that people nowadays are having to save further and for longer than their predecessors. Unfortunately in many instances, life events are also getting in the way from setting aside money earlier or in a consistent manner.”

    The HSBC Future of Retirement: Generations and Journeys report is based on the views of more than 18,000 people in 17 countries, including a total of 1,008 Singaporeans (both working age and retired).

    The survey also found that Singaporeans are predominantly using cash savings, supplemented by day-to-day salary and a property downsize to fund their retirement.

    The report finds that 21 per cent of Singaporeans – compared to the global average of 6 per cent – expect to downsize or sell a property to help them to fund their retirement.

    According to the report, 60 per cent of working age Singaporeans surveyed expect to draw on cash savings to fund their retirement. A further 40 per cent highlighted that they will continue to work, with 12 per cent saying they rely on government pension schemes.

    Said Mr Colebrook: “The report reveals a degree of tunnel-vision amongst Singaporeans with cash savings and property being the key investments of choice – often at the exclusion of almost any other asset class.

    “But all asset classes’ performance will rise and fall as the current softening of the Singapore property market and low deposit rate environment show us. This speaks volumes for why it is important to seek diversification in a savings plan.”

    Lack of information on retirement may potentially be one of the reasons why working age Singaporeans have not started planning for their retirement, said HSBC.

    According to its survey, 26 per cent of pre-retirees here say they have never received advice or information about retirement. Findings also show that 23 per cent of pre-retirees have not started saving (on par with global average of 24 per cent), including 10 per cent who are aged 60 or over.

    Mr Colebrook added: “While Singaporeans are savvy savers in general, they may not have the relevant knowledge to help them start saving or consider investment options in order to sustain the lifestyle they had before retirement.”

     

    Source: The Straits Times

  • Lebih 3,000 Penduduk Ke Pelbagai Rumah Ibadat, Saling Belajar Tentang Agama lain

    Lebih 3,000 Penduduk Ke Pelbagai Rumah Ibadat, Saling Belajar Tentang Agama lain

    Lebih 3,000 penduduk dari sembilan kawasan undi berjalan bersama dalam satu semangat perpaduan.

    Bermula dari kawasan undi masing-masing, mereka membuat persinggahan di rumah-rumah ibadah sepanjang jalan.

    Para penduduk Bukit Batok misalnya menyaksikan upacara sembahyang di sebuah gereja.

    Penduduk Bukit Gombak pula ke Masjid AlKhair berpeluang mempelajari rukun Islam dengan lebih mendalam manakala beberapa penduduk lainnya melawat sebuah kuil Taoist.

    Acara ini sebahagian daripada daya usaha Kumpulan Bina Keyakinan Antara Kaum atau IRCC untuk menggalak keharmonian kaum dan agama di Singapura.

    Source: Berita MediaCorp

  • Off Duty Nurse Saves Old Man From Seizure

    Off Duty Nurse Saves Old Man From Seizure

    Moon Lim shared in her Facebook about how she responded when she saw a wheelchair-bound man struggling as a woman was trying to “stuff a handkerchief” into his mouth. Moon did not mention, but the woman could possibly be the man’s foreign domestic worker. Moon had gotten off-duty early from the hospital.

    When Moon asked the woman who was attending to the man if she needed help, the woman said ‘no’. But things did not seem normal so Moon asked the man himself if he was fine, and asked him to look into her eyes.

    When she noticed the man’s “eyes were facing up and he started to shake really violently, with muscle spasm,” she recognised that he needs immediate medical attention. She told the woman attending to the man firmly to stop trying to push the handkerchief into his mouth, and rushed him to the outpatient clinic which was closing.

    The man was immediately wheeled into the emergency room by 4 staff and 2 doctors from the outpatient clinic.

    Moon was pleased with the good deed that she did and said, “I love my job. And I love my shoes. I am a nurse, and I am wearing Adidas.” The incident happened on Friday, 16 September.

    If you can’t read her post, this is what she said:

    —
    I was SKIPPING out of the hospital door because i was so happy to finish work earlier today. THEN, i saw a lady holding a wheelchair with a man seated on it. The lady was trying to stuff a handkerchief into the man’s mouth however the man was shaking his head.

    I went over and asked the lady, “Miss… Do you need help?”
    “No. Its ok..” the lady answered.
    but the man’s behavior do not seem right to me, this is going to sound very weird but i looked at the uncle, and told him “UNCLE look into my eyes!!! Are you ok???!?!?!” Uncle’s eyes were facing up and he started to shake really violently, with muscle spasm.

    MAN!! THIS MAN NEEDS I/m Valium stat, i thought to myself. He is having a seizure! The lady was still trying to push the handkerchief into his mouth, i told her very firmly, “please stop! he needs a doctor NOW! Follow me!!”

    For the first time since months, I ran. i held his legs away from the wheels, and i really ran. because i could not put him in recovery position. The outpatient clinic was 100 meters away and closing, but luckily, they were so sweet, 4 of them helped with 2 doctors, placed him on the trolley and pushed into the emergency room.
    Before i left, I nodded and smile to the lady.

    I love my job. And i love my shoes.
    I am a nurse, and i am wearing Adidas.

     

    Source: http://theindependent.sg

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